As Sir David Attenborough turns 100, the Mount reflects on his 2004 visit to campus and the Motherhouse.
As the world celebrates the 100th birthday of legendary natural historian and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough on May 8, 2026, the Mount has a unique connection to one of the most recognizable voices in nature storytelling.
In 2004, Sir David visited both the campus of Mount St. Joseph University and the Motherhouse while filming, creating a memorable moment in the institution’s history. Best known for narrating acclaimed nature documentaries such as Planet Earth, Sir David has spent more than eight decades inspiring global audiences through his passion for wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
The visit remains a special point of pride for the Mount community, made even more meaningful by a handwritten inscription left for Dr. Gene Kritsky, the Mount’s Chief Science Officer of cITe, biology professor, and retired Dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences. As media outlets around the globe honor Attenborough’s remarkable legacy, the Mount can celebrate its own place in the story of a man whose work has shaped how generations understand and appreciate the planet.
Watch footage connected to Sir David’s visit here:Amazing Cicada Life Cycle | Sir David Attenborough's Life In the Undergrowth | BBC